JP2001048100A - Sample receiving/delivering device for spacecraft - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simultaneously perform docking and a sample receipt/delivery. SOLUTION: At a front end of a sample return vehicle 2, a sample holder 4 is separably equipped via a supporting rod 3. The sample holder 4 is used as also a docking rope. In a carrier vehicle l which is made to separably connect with the sample return vehicle 2, a reentry capsule 5 for docking the sample return vehicle 2 and receiving the sample holder 4 is equipped. On a front surface part of the carrier vehicle 1, a docking port 6 communicated with the reentry capsule 5 and a pyramidal guide 7 leading the sample holder 4 to the docking port 6 are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample delivery device used in a spacecraft such as a planetary probe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The development of space technology has been remarkable, and it is already widely known that a spacecraft such as an artificial satellite docks in outer space. on the other hand,
Sampling of planetary materials by unmanned spacecraft such as planetary probes has also been performed. In particular, the sampling of planetary matter has received a great deal of attention since NASA announced a large-scale Lander mission and sample return mission for the Mars manned mission in 2010.

[0003] In particular, unlike a lunar exploration, a sample return mission for the purpose of exploring Mars requires a carrier vehicle and a sample return vehicle because the distance from the earth is long and there is a difference in gravity. In the state that the spacecraft consisting of the carrier vehicle and the sample return vehicle orbits the circular orbit of Mars, the sample return vehicle is separated from the carrier vehicle and landed on Mars,
Once the required sampling has been performed and the sample has been stored in the sample holder, it is necessary to return the sample return vehicle to Mars' circular orbit, dock it with the carrier vehicle in a circular orbit, and then place the sample holder in the sample return vehicle. Must be delivered to the carrier vehicle.

[0004]

However, a sample return mission for the purpose of exploring Mars requires a large spacecraft with a docking mechanism as described above. Sampling missions have not been realized. For this reason, docking and sample delivery have to be done separately.
The use of another mechanism not only increases the weight and power consumption, but also increases the cost, and further has a problem of reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a spacecraft sample delivery apparatus which realizes a sampling mission in a large spacecraft having a mechanism.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for collecting a sample return vehicle in a spacecraft in which a sample return vehicle is detachably connected to a front portion of a carrier vehicle. A reentry capsule in which a sample holder for accommodating the separated sample is detachably equipped as a probe for docking, and the carrier vehicle is docked with the separated sample return vehicle to receive the sample holder. Is equipped.

Since the sample holder is used as a docking probe, when the sample return vehicle and the carrier vehicle are docked, the sample holder can be transferred to the reentry capsule at the same time.

In addition, a docking port and a docking guide for guiding the sample holder toward the docking port are provided on the front surface of the carrier vehicle, and the sample pushed through the docking port is provided in the reentry capsule. A storage unit for receiving and storing the holder, a ratchet-type locking claw that is to be locked to the rear end of the sample holder at the entrance of the storage unit, and an entrance of the storage unit after storing the sample holder. When the sample holder is guided to the docking port along the docking guide and pushed into the storage portion in the reentry capsule through the docking port, the sample holder is attached to the rear end face of the sample holder. The locking claw is locked and the sample holder is separated from the sample return vehicle. If that, so that the inlet portion of the storage portion is covered with a lid. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a docking mechanism and a sample delivery mechanism separately.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 2B and FIGS. 2A and 2B
FIG. 1C shows an embodiment of the present invention.
In the planetary explorer as an unmanned spacecraft in which the rear part of the sample return vehicle 2 is detachably connected to the front part of the carrier vehicle 1 as shown in FIG. Vehicle 1
And the front end side of the sample return vehicle 2 having the sample holder 4 is docked, and the sample return vehicle 2 is attached to the docking portion.
And a reentry capsule 5 for receiving the sample holder 4 from the vehicle, docking the carrier vehicle 1 and the sample return vehicle 2 and simultaneously transferring the sample holder 4 to the reentry capsule 5 on the carrier vehicle 1 side.

More specifically, the sample return vehicle 2 has a support rod 3 attached to the front end thereof so as to protrude forward, and a sample collected at the tip end of the support rod 3. A holder (canister) 4 is detachably equipped as a docking probe, and a sample taken at the time of landing on a planet is stored in the sample holder 4. On the other hand, at the portion of the front surface of the carrier vehicle 1 where the sample return vehicle 2 is docked, the reentry capsule 5 is detachably attached and a docking guide 7 is provided toward the front side of the reentry capsule 5. .

The reentry capsule 5 attached to the front of the carrier vehicle 1 is provided with a storage portion 8 as a hollow portion capable of receiving and storing the sample holder 4 in the center portion, and the entrance 8a thereof is connected to the carrier vehicle 1.
And a portion other than the entrance 8a of the storage unit 8 is covered with a heat shield 11. Further, the rear end surface of the sample holder 4 is provided on the entrance 8a side of the storage unit 8. The configuration is such that a ratchet-type locking claw 9 that is locked and a heat-resistant lid 10 that closes the entrance 8a of the storage unit 8 after storing the sample holder 4 can be opened and closed.

The docking guide 7 is provided in the carrier vehicle 1 in a conical shape, and is provided on the front side of the entrance 8a so that the sample holder 4 can be guided to the entrance 8a of the reentry capsule 5. The docking port 6 is located.

For example, in exploration of Mars, sampling is performed by a sample return vehicle 2 separated from a carrier vehicle 1 and the sample holder 4 is sampled.
When the sample is stored therein, the sample return vehicle 2 is returned to the circular orbit of Mars, and the carrier vehicle 1 is made to approach the sample return vehicle 2 and docked.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the carrier vehicle 1 is brought closer to the sample return vehicle 2, a guide 7 for docking the carrier vehicle 1 is provided.
The sample holder 4 is guided to the docking port 6 when the sample holder 4 is moved along.

Further, as the carrier vehicle 1 approaches the sample return vehicle 2, the sample holder 4 is pushed into the storage section 8 in the reentry capsule 5 through the docking port 6, as shown in FIG. When the sample holder 4 is pushed into the inside of the storage unit 8, the ratchet-type locking claw 9 at the entrance 8 a of the storage unit 8 locks to the rear end surface of the sample holder 4. The holder 4 is delivered.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the sample holder 4 is separated from the support rod 3, and
As shown in the figure, the entrance 8a of the storage unit 8 is closed with the lid 10.

As described above, since the sample holder 4 is provided with the function of a docking probe, the sample can be transferred simultaneously with docking without separately providing a docking mechanism and a transfer mechanism.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited only to the above-described embodiment, and the shapes of the carrier vehicle 1, the sample return vehicle 2, the reentry capsule 5, etc.
Needless to say, the structure and the like can be selected as necessary, and various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0020]

As described above, according to the sample delivery apparatus for a spacecraft of the present invention, the sample return vehicle of the spacecraft is detachably connected to the front surface of the carrier vehicle. A sample holder for accommodating the collected sample is detachably provided as a docking probe, and the carrier vehicle is docked with the separated sample return vehicle to receive the sample holder. Because it has a configuration equipped with an entry capsule, when docking the sample return vehicle and the carrier vehicle,
Since the sample holder is used as a docking probe, the sample holder can be transferred to the reentry capsule at the same time as docking, and the docking port and the sample holder facing the docking port are provided on the front of the carrier vehicle. A docking guide for guiding the sample holder is provided, and the reentry capsule is provided with a storage section for receiving and storing the sample holder pushed through the docking port, and a rear end of the sample holder at an entrance of the storage section. A simple configuration allows docking and sample delivery with a simple configuration, with a ratchet-type locking claw that is stopped and a lid that closes the entrance of the storage unit after storing the sample holder. Docking mechanism and sample delivery mechanism can be separated It is not necessary to have a weight reduction, power consumption reduction, reliability enhancement, can contribute to cost reduction or the like, exhibits excellent effects and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a sample delivery device for a spacecraft according to the present invention, in which (a) is a schematic view showing a state in which a carrier vehicle and a sample return vehicle are connected, and (b) is a carrier vehicle. It is an enlarged view of the part which docks a sample return vehicle.

FIG. 2 shows the procedure for sample delivery.
(B) and (c) are conceptual diagrams showing the procedure.

[Description of Signs] 1 Carrier vehicle 2 Sample return vehicle 3 Support rod 4 Sample holder 5 Reentry capsule 6 Docking port 7 Guide 8 Storage section 8a Entrance 9 Locking claw 10 Lid

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A sample holder for accommodating a collected sample in a sample return vehicle of a spacecraft which is detachably connected to a front portion of a carrier vehicle, and also serves as a docking probe. A space vehicle sample having a configuration in which a reentry capsule is provided so as to be separable as described above, and the sample carrier is docked with the separated sample return vehicle to receive a sample holder. Delivery device. 2. A docking port and a docking guide for guiding a sample holder toward the docking port are provided on a front portion of the carrier vehicle, and a sample pushed through the docking port is provided in the reentry capsule. A storage unit for receiving and storing the holder,
A ratchet-type locking claw adapted to be locked to the rear end of the sample holder at an entrance of the storage unit, and a lid for closing an entrance of the storage unit after storing the sample holder. 2. The sample delivery device for a spacecraft according to 1.